LA high schools give up on iPads, stick with more traditional computing options

The Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD’s) decision to supply all of its students throughout its 47 campuses with iPads was rife with controversy from the start. The initial contract with Apple was valued at $30 million (however, the contract was expected to expand to $500 million), which put the price tag at $678 per iPad. A revised budget later showed that the cost per iPad was nearly $100 more, at $770 per device.

Now it seems as if the LAUSD has come to its senses with regards to a one-device-fits-all strategy for its students. The LAUSD has put its iPad rollout to 27 high schools on hold in favor of a plan that would favor notebook computers and convertibles.

As LAUSD board member Monica Ratliff put it, “Why would we treat all our students — whether they are a first-grader or a high school freshman — as if they all had the same technology needs? They don't.... To have a one-device-fits-all approach does not make sense."

It's not all smiles at LAUSD high schools when it comes to iPads in the classroom

Why it took so long to come to this realization is unknown. An iPad might be a useful tool on lower grades — where it is often used for spelling activities, math review, and sight word recognition — but might not be as beneficial to high school students who need to write papers or might want to do something as simple as plug in a flash drive to access pictures or documents.

As one principal Carolyn McKnight put it, even when used in standardized testing, the iPads often came up short. "Students were more comfortable on the laptop because of the amount of writing and the size of the screen," said McKnight. "It was really hard to see the whole problem on the iPad."

"We had the right urgency, but urgency can be the enemy of necessary scrutiny," added Steve Zimmer, another LAUSD board member. "Now our challenge is to maintain the urgency while getting the details right."

Microsoft Surface Pro 2

Students, teachers, and administrators at the 27 high schools are now being given the opportunity to test six different devices to see which better fits each individual school’s needs. Some of the device choices include the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga, Microsoft Surface Pro 2 (which will actually come with the keyboard attachment; the iPads were not supplied with keyboards), Dell Latitude E7420, and even some Chromebook options.

The LAUSD Board of Education has earmarked $40 million to fund the machines for the high schools.

What they use at home isn't the point...it's what they'd use once they entered the workforce.

Are they going to use Linux if/when they get a job? No.

Are they going to use Macs if/when they get a job? No.

Are they going to use Windows if/when they get a job? Yes.

Ergo, teaching kids on any platform other than Windows is counterproductive. Kids who gain skills on non-Windows OSs will be at a disadvantage comparatively when entering the workforce when compared to kids who had Windows skills already.

I'm not sure what your point is bro. The point I made is why use something different than what the majority use? They need to be concentrated on learning English, Math, Science, etc. Not learning the system. Not WTF do I click to do whatever. That would be a distraction and counterproductive to a learning environment. They're going to have homework still, so you avoid for the most part compatibility issues since most people use Windows.

Where did I say I dont like Windows? Whats your point with that?

And if you can learn LINUX but Windows escapes your grasp then you got other issues.

Because it's not. It's preparing them to enter the workforce that's the issue.

And it's not a matter of simply learning to use a GUI - yes, if you can locate an icon and click on it in Linux, you can do the same thing in Windows. But they need to learn to use Windows productivity tools. And maybe even gain a passing familiarity with Windows specifics like the Control panel.

Regardless, even granted that many facets are similar, Windows is *exactly* what they'll be using when they enter the workforce. So why teach them to use something thats "really very similar to Windows" when you can just teach them to use Windows?

I'm saying they should use Windows. The primary reason for these computers is not to learn Windows but the rest of their studies. Learning Windows would be an added benefit. All I said was that Windows and thin clients isnt new and sure there are some LINUX flavors that are easy but why when everyone uses Windows. I'm not advocating LINUX. If it was specifically for a computer science class or vocational prepping them for the workforce then sure Windows it is and you would have a point. Yes, what they use at home is an issue. Running Windows guarantees compatibility for the most part and when it comes to assigning homework that requires a PC you have your bases mostly covered. This is after all what this whole system is for. For them to get their grade/highschool education, not specifically learn Windows.

It depends on what they're going to be doing. If its programming for open platforms like the web then fluency in OS X and/or Linux is a must. Everyone I know working at Google and Facebook works on OS X and Linux. Not one develops in Windows. Nearly all tools in the film industry I'm in run on UNIX operating systems of some sort. Backends in things like the financial industry run on Linux. The list goes on.

Its like any other tool. If you're doing spreadsheets then you'll need fluency in Windows, even though MS Office and Office alternatives exist in OS X and Linux. There are plenty of professional applications that require knowledge of non-Windows operating systems though. It really depends.

Except the situations you listed involve people that familiarized themselves with these platforms outside of mandatory courses. It's silly to make OS X and Linux training mandatory in school because a small percentage of students will need it. Why not make Java courses mandatory for the entire school while you're at it? :P

quote: teaching kids on any platform other than Windows is counterproductive. Kids who gain skills on non-Windows OSs will be at a disadvantage comparatively when entering the workforce when compared to kids who had Windows skills already.

This is completely wrong. Mandatory education on UNIX platforms obviously isn't necessary, but that isn't what I was talking about either. Specific courses for things like programming or design benefit from learning on non-Windows platforms since those are actually standard in the real world.

The idea that people only need Windows in the workforce, especially when alternatives dominate depending on the field, is wrong.